Paderno d'Adda
Paderno d'Adda: A commune surrounded by nature
Paderno d'Adda is a small commune in the province of Lecco in Lombardy, with a population of 3832 inhabitants. The town is located in the eastern area of the Adda River, within the Adda Nord Regional Park and Leonardo's Adda Ecomuseum. Paderno d'Adda has played an important role in the history of navigation along the Adda River and is a place of great natural beauty. In this article, we will discover the history, monuments, and attractions of this wonderful Lombardian commune.
History
Paderno d'Adda has a long history dating back to the medieval period when it was part of the Brivio district. Throughout history, Paderno was a point of "narrowing" for navigation along the Adda. It was only in the 1700s that the navigation obstacle was overcome with the construction of the Paderno canal, which allowed the connection between Lake Como and Milan via the Martesana Canal. Leonardo da Vinci had proposed a system of locks to overcome the rapids of the Adda River, but the project was not completed during his lifetime.
Monuments and places of interest
Paderno d'Adda is a place of great tourist interest, thanks to its monuments and natural beauties.
Civil architecture
Paderno d'Adda is home to the famous Paderno Bridge or San Michele Bridge, built between 1887 and 1889. The bridge, 266 meters long, is supported by nine pillars and holds a 150-meter metal arch with a 37.50-meter span. On the upper part of the bridge, there is a road for light traffic, while the Seregno-Bergamo railway passes through the inner span. Not far from the bridge is the Bertini hydroelectric power plant owned by Edison, with the house of the dam keeper adjacent.
Other
Among the other monuments of Paderno d'Adda, there is the Villa Gnecchi-Ruscone, dating back to the first half of the 19th century, and some Lombard-style farms such as the Assunta, Maria, and Chioso farms.
Religious architecture
Paderno d'Adda has several ancient churches, such as the Church of Santa Maria Assunta, whose construction dates back to the end of the 19th century, and the Church of Santa Marta, built in the 16th century on the site of the old church of San Pietro. There is also the Church of Santa Elisabetta, built-in the 18th century, and the Oratory of Sant'Ambrogio, already attested at the end of the 17th century.
Other
To be noted is the monument to the fallen, a work by the sculptor Giuseppe Mozzanica dating back to 1931, and the burial of Enzo Bearzot in the cemetery of Paderno d'Adda.
Society
Demographic evolution
Paderno d'Adda has had a constant demographic evolution over the centuries. In 1751, the population was 535 inhabitants, which grew to 662 in 1805. In 1853, the population was 920 inhabitants. In 1928, Paderno d'Adda was annexed to Robbiate but was subsequently separated again.
Ethnic groups and foreign minorities
The commune of Paderno d'Adda has a significant percentage of foreigners, representing 10% of the total population. The most represented foreigners are citizens from Morocco, Romania, Albania, Egypt, Senegal, and Bangladesh.
In conclusion, Paderno d'Adda is a place of great historical, cultural, and naturalistic interest, ideal for a day trip or a relaxing weekend. You can visit it in every season of the year, as it has a unique charm all year round.
